Dubai: Starting from Friday, Jan.5 until mid 2019, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will operate a free circular bus route as an alternative service following the full closure of the rail track of the Dubai Metro Red Line between Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) and Ibn Battuta Stations.

“The alternative arrangement is made to give way for construction works of Route 2020, which requires constructing a new station and linking it with the existing one,” said the Director of Planning and Business Development, RTA’s Public Transport Agency, Mohammed Abu Baker Al Hashmi.

He said the procedure requires the full closure of Nakheel Harbour and Tower Station and the attached multi-level Park-N-Ride Terminal.

BOARDING AND DISEMBARKING

Al Hashmi said that Metro riders heading to the UAE Exchange Station are required to drop off at the JLT Station, board free alternative buses deployed to take them to Ibn Battuta Station, and then continue their metro journey to the UAE Exchange Station.

“Metro riders travelling in the direction of Rashidiya Station are required to hop off at Ibn Battuta Station, take alternative buses for free to lift them to JLT Station and from there resume their metro journey in the direction of Rashidiya Metro Station.

“This service is intended to meet the needs of public transport riders in general and metro riders commuting between the said two stations in particular. RTA is always keen to fulfil the needs of public transport users in Dubai, and offer integrated excellent services to customers with the aim of making them happier,” he said.